All-ways acceleration switch



M. s. |vv|||\.rr'z ETAL ALL-WAYS AccELERATIoN SWITCH April "i,y 1959 Filed May 1, 1956 k 0 .x 9., L f

United ALL-WAYS AC-CELERATION SWITCH Application May 1, 1956, Serial No. 582,049 1 Claim. (Cl. ZOU-61.45) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 26.6)

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an acceleration switch. More particularly, it relates to a switch for closing an electrical circuit, which switch is operated by accelerating the structure in any direction.

Specifically, the invention relates to an acceleration switch wherein a central conducting sphere is spring positioned within a conducting spherical cavity in such a manner that acceleration of the structure in any direction Will result in a displacement of the sphere within the cavity with resulting contact between said sphere and said cavity walls.

This switch may be used for closing any electric circuit where it is desired to actuate the switch by acceleration. It is particularly useful, however, as a means of initiating a high explosive charge or other munition which is accelerated by dropping or firing.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the switch complete with battery and detonator for use in a munition. Fig. 2 shows a section through the switch including an outside cylindrical casing composed of the two halves and 12 which are screwed together by means of threads 14. Within the spherical cavity formed by the outside casing 10 and ire 12 is the sphere 16. The latter is supported substantially concentrically of the spherical cavity by means of multiple springs 18. These springs are insulated from sphere 16 by means of recessed insulating pads 2t?. Sphere 16 is provided with multiple contact points 22 which project into the space between the sphere and casing. Transfer shaft 26 makes contact with sphere 16 by a sliding fit in central bore 28. The upper end of shaft 26 terminates in a ball 30 which ts into and makes electrical contact with socket 32. The latter is insulated from the outer casing 10 by means of fitting 34. Conductor 36 makes contact with the socket 32 and accordingly with the transfer shaft 26 and sphere 16. Conductor 3S makes contact with the outer casing 10, 12. The switch will close when any one of points 22 make contact with the casing 10, 12 and this will be brought about when the outer casing is accelerated in any direction suticiently to cause the inertia of sphere 16 to compress springs 18.

This acceleration would take place if the switch were installed in a shell or bomb. By varying the tension of springs 18 and the mass of sphere 16, it is possible to construct a switch which will close with accelerations as low as 1.5 gravity. Correspondingly, upper limits of acceleration necessary for closing the switch can be made any value desired.

We claim:

An acceleration switch comprising inner and outer conducting bodies, said inner body being spherical and fitted with multiple spaced contact points, said inner sphere being spaced apart from the spherical cavity of said outer body by a plurality of insulated -coil spring means, said inner sphere having a conducting terminal comprising a rod, slidable in a diametral opening of said inner sphere, the other end of said rod being pivotally anchored in a terminal block supported by and insulated from said outer body.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,793,260 Closek May 21, 1957 

